"Jack! Come on, you need to get ready for school!"

I frowned at the backpack on my bed, lifting it up and throwing it over my shoulder before I ran downstairs with my green hoodie in hand.

I quickly kissed my mom on the cheek, making my way out the front door. "Love you!"

"Have fun, baby! Remember, arms are fragile!" She called after me, forcing a smile on my face.

The bus was just about stopped and I hopped on the moment the doors opened up, finding an open seat near the middle of it. We stayed for about a minute before the doors started to close.

"WAIT!!"

A hand jammed itself in the door, forcing it open for a moment, a boy with sandy blond hair walking on, catching his breath.

"You almost had me there..." He laughed, stepping forward. "I thought you were actually gonna leave me."

"That was the plan, Mike..." The bus driver muttered, closing the door behind him and pulling back into the road.

The boy made his way over to me, rubbing the back of his neck. "This seat taken?"

"Not at all." I assured him, giving a smile to hopefully make him a little more comfortable. "My name's Jack."

"Mike!" The boy said as he sat down, grabbing my hand to shake it. "I don't think I know you... You new?"

"Yeah, my first day here." I explained.

Mike grinned like a maniac. "Awesome! That means you need friends, don't you?"

He sat there, throwing a toothy smile as he waited for my answer, one I was hesitated to give.

"I guess I am..." I muttered, not sure what to expect here.

The blond pumped his fist, seemingly excited. "I'll introduce you to everyone at lunch! It'll be great, you'll love them."

As bus stopped, dropping us off at school, Mike grabbed me and dragged me out and towards the building. He slowed down as a short haired girl in a pink top came into view.

"Mary!! I found a new kid!" Mike cried, the raven haired girl turning and raising a brow at us.

She walked over, strutting around in yellow leggings and combat boots. "You poor thing. Did he kidnap you?"

Mike frowned at her. "Of course I didn't!"

"He kinda did." I replied.

Mary shook her head, disappointment evident on her face. She was about an inch taller than me with black hair down to her neck in a perfectly straight line, her eyes an icy blue, almost silver.

"As you probably guessed, I'm Mary." She said, smiling over at me. "This idiot doesn't control you, so don't let him push you around."

"I'm not an idiot..."

I shrugged. "I'm actually fascinated by him. Kinda curious to see where he takes me."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "He'll probably take you right into Hell."

"Ok, I'm not that bad!"

Mary turned and placed her hand over Mike's mouth. "Sweetie, the adults are talking, please don't interrupt."

His response was pouting towards her, not making another comment.

"Good boy." She praised, patting his cheek before turning back to me. "If you're really insistent about hanging with this dweeb, you might as well meet the cool people too."

"I was gonna introduce everyone at lunch..." Mike muttered, still pouting.

Mary rolled her eyes, not even hiding her amusement. "Buddy, it's the first day of class, we don't got a lot other than talking to do. We might as well show him around."

The blond blinked, turning to me then back to Mary, blinking again as something clicked in his head.

"That is an amazing point." He mumbled. "Why don't I hang out with you more?"

"Because I would make you feel inadequate within the week." She replied, walking into the school and down the main hall. "Plus, you'd have to give up some power to spend more time with me."

Just as she was out of earshot, I heard Mike whispering. "God, I love that chick..."

I ran to catch up with Mary, watching around and looking for a group of kids that she'd be walking towards.

"So... Who are the others?" I asked, almost nervous about the answer.

The girl shrugged. "The outcasts. People that didn't fit anyone else's standards, didn't fit into any cliques."

I nodded, listening in while she described the group. Mary turned and smirked over at me.

"People I think you'd get along with. A great ole bunch of misfits."